We Sustain Maine

                            

     

At Spectrum Generations, we believe that no senior should ever go hungry, and that every one of our consumers ought to have the freshest, best tasting, nutritious meals possible.

 

That’s why we launched We Sustain Maine – an initiative to bring locally grown food from the fields of Maine’s farms to the plates of central Maine’s seniors.

 

In the fall of 2011, Spectrum Generations launched a radically new initiative in our mission to end senior hunger called We Sustain Maine.  As Central Maine's Area Agency On Aging, Spectrum Generations provides Meals On Wheels and on-site community dining in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and Waldo Counties, plus the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County.  This year, we will prepare, package and deliver nearly 270,000 meals to homebound older and disabled adults who live in rural Maine and dine in our centers.

 

We Sustain Maine is of great benefit to:

  • Maine’s seniors receive healthy meals prepared and packaged in our own kitchens.
  • Maine’s farmers benefit from a high-volume, reliable customer for their products.
  • Maine’s environment is less stressed with long distance, out-of-state trucking and shipping.
  • Maine’s economy benefits from dollars directly reinvested into local communities.
  • Maine’s reputation as a regional and national leader in sustainable agriculture and food security is enhanced.
Our Meals On Wheels menus have always been nutritious and geared to the tastes of those we serve.  As part of our commitment to continuously improve the meals we serve, we took a giant step forward with the creation of this program.  We Sustain Maine dedicates a third of our purchasing volume to Maine made products and services.  From the fields of Maine's farmers to the plates of Maine's seniors, it's a triple win:
 
We Sustain Maine: Sustains better nutrition for Maine's seniors, Sustains the market for Maine's farmers, and Sustains Maine's economy by buying locally.
 

Gerard Queally, (third from left) CEO for Spectrum Generations, central Maine’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, was presented with an Aging Innovations Award for our  We Sustain Maine Senior Nutrition Program while attending the n4a Answers on Aging Annual Conference & Tradeshow in Louisville, KY.  Click here to read full story.

Spectrum Generations was the top award winner under the Healthy Aging/Nutrition category for its We Sustain Maine (WSM) Senior Nutrition Program.  Funding from individuals, foundations and organizations made it possible to modify two of its community center kitchens and purchase two flash freezers and other equipment to bulk purchase and store Maine food products during peak season for best taste and nutritional value for year round use.  Maine food products now account for 29% of its nutrition program menu and we are well on our way to reaching 32% by close of fiscal year 2013.

Know someone who might benefit from We Sustain Maine through Meals on Wheels? Click here.

 

Interested in becoming a We Sustain Maine/Meals on Wheels volunteer? Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at: [email protected] or 1-800-282-0764, TTY: 1-800-464-8703.

 

Help end senior hunger in central Maine and support your local farmers. Please make your We Sustain Maine gift today!

 

Made possible by:

Jane’s Trust   Maine Community Foundation
Meals On Wheels Association of America & Walmart Foundation   Waterville Rotary Club
Elimina Sewall Foundation   Central Maine Motors, Inc.
Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation   Toyota Dealer Match Program
Elsie Viles   Coca-Cola of Southern Maine

and many caring individuals, Like You!

Are you a member of the press? Please feel welcome to call 1-800-639-1553, TTY: 1-800-464-8703 for further information about We Sustain Maine.